Around the World in Reality: Ecuador

For many world travelers, the Galapagos is among the top five destinations on their bucket list, and that was certainly true for me. So, when I came across an irresistible flight deal to Quito, I just couldn’t pass up the opportunity. There’s something truly exhilarating about planning a new adventure that fills me with excitement and anticipation. The prospect of exploring Ecuador’s vibrant culture, stunning landscapes, and incredible wildlife had me counting down the days until we could embark on this journey. It truly turned out to be unforgettable!

Day 1 – Monday, June 24

HIGHLIGHTS: Delta One

The day had finally arrived! After a smooth departure from RDU, we landed in Atlanta, where we took full advantage of our layover by relaxing in the Delta Sky Club. Soon after, we were off to Quito. We decided to splurge on an upgrade to Delta One for this trip, allowing us to enjoy our lay-flat seats and a delicious dinner. It was quite the flight, especially since my Tennessee Vols were in the College Baseball World Series, and I couldn’t watch the game. Fortunately, I found out they won as soon as we landed!

The arrival process in Quito was efficient and well-organized. Since we arrived late, I had arranged transportation to take us directly to our hotel, the Vista del Angel Hotel Boutique. We were welcomed with spectacular views of the city.

Day 2 – Tuesday, June 25

HIGHLIGHTS: El Maple, Museo Nacional del Ecuador, Galería Artesanal Mitad del Mundo, and Cooking Class

Our morning started with a delicious breakfast at the hotel, featuring an array of fresh fruit that was simply delightful. The yogurt and granola complemented each other perfectly, making for a refreshing meal. The daytime views from the hotel were just as stunning as the night views, creating a beautiful backdrop for our morning.

We took our time easing into the day and eventually made our way to lunch at El Maple, a cute vegan spot in the city. I ordered a hearty veggie Philly cheesesteak with fries and a refreshing blackberry juice. It was my first time trying a plant-based version of this classic, and it didn’t disappoint; the texture and flavor were just as I had imagined. Donnell chose the menestra, a plant-based meat, and he cleaned his plate!

After lunch, we were ready to explore and soon stumbled upon the National Museum of Ecuador. Initially, I thought it was closed, so I was thrilled to find it open. We spent some time immersing ourselves in the country’s rich history and culture, and we also had the chance to view an exhibit by the artist Miguel Varea.

After our time at the museum, we took a walk to Galeria Artesanal Mitad del Mundo for a bit of shopping. I usually keep my purchases minimal when traveling since we have limited space and don’t need many souvenirs. However, I do enjoy finding unique earrings from each new place, and I was able to pick up a lovely pair here.

The highlight of the day was a cooking class! Upon arrival, we met a couple from Germany. One of my favorite parts of traveling is the chance to not only learn about the local culture but also to connect with fellow travelers from around the world. We began the class with a lesson on chocolate—a topic we’ve explored in a few classes before, yet each time, it’s just as fascinating. Afterward, we moved on to preparing traditional Ecuadorian empanadas and the popular Canelazo drink. In Latin America, empanadas vary widely by country, and the ones we made here were delicious yet distinctly different from those we learned to make in Chile.

Day 3 – Wednesday, June 26

HIGHLIGHTS: Indentidad Natural, Hop On Hop Off Bus Quito and X LO ALTO Restaurante

We began the day with another delightful breakfast at the hotel, once again soaking in the breathtaking view of the city. This time, I added eggs and the portion was overly generous and delicious!

For lunch, Donnell and I tried Identidad Natural, a vegetarian restaurant I discovered. We both ordered the Karma Burger, which was delicious. I also had a mint tea—it was refreshing, though I found it could have used a bit more sweetness to suit my southern taste buds.

After lunch, we hopped on a Quito Bus Tour, which offered a fantastic overview of the city’s highlights. Although we had the option to hop off and reboard each hour, we chose to stay on and enjoy the full loop. The tour began at United Nations Boulevard, right next to La Carolina Park, and then took us to La Mariscal and Foch Square, where Ecuadorian culture shines in a vibrant mix of cafés, galleries, and unique architecture.

We continued on to El Ejido, where we had explored the day before, visiting the park and museum. From there, we passed the stunning Basilica Church—a landmark we planned to visit later in the week. The tour then led us through San Francisco, the historic heart of Quito, before making a final stop at the Panecillo Viewpoint. Here, we had 30 minutes to explore, allowing us time to stroll around, admire the world’s largest aluminum statue, and take in sweeping views of the city.

The tour concluded back at United Nations Boulevard, leaving us with the sense of having experienced both modern and historic Quito in one seamless loop.

We ended the evening with a memorable dinner at X LO ALTO, a spot I chose specifically for its 12-course tasting menu—and it did not disappoint. By course nine, I was pretty full, but that didn’t stop me from finishing. This restaurant easily ranks in my top five tasting menus; the experience was absolutely amazing and well-priced!

Day 4 – Thursday, June 27

HIGHLIGHTS: Quito All Main Attractions Tour

We started our day with a private city tour, kicking off our exploration at the Mitad del Mundo, where we visited the actual equator line. The visit included a fascinating one-hour guided museum tour that provided an insightful introduction to Ecuador’s history and the significance of the equator. We also enjoyed participating in “scientific” experiments, such as balancing an egg on a nail (which I mastered!) and walking a straight line with our arms outstretched. It was a lot of fun!

Next, we ascended to 13,000 feet (4,000 meters) via the Teleférico cable car. The ride to the top of Quito was breathtaking, offering stunning views of the city and surrounding landscapes.

The walk to the top was challenging, and for the first time, I really struggled with the altitude, but I made it! Once we reached the summit, we discovered a swing with stunning views of the city. A young man was even capturing videos with his drone for just $3.

We had the option to ride horses up the mountain, but we decided against it. While the horses are accustomed to the steep terrain, we weren’t quite ready to venture out with them.

After feeling like we were on top of the world, we made our way back to the city and enjoyed lunch with our guide at La Nora. We both ordered the encebollado, an Ecuadorian fish soup, along with empanadas, and the encebollado was absolutely delicious! I wish I had the recipe.

Our adventure continued with a visit to the Basilica del Voto Nacional, the largest neo-Gothic church in South America. The basilica was breathtaking. I love seeing the architecture and the unique characteristics of the basilicas across Latin America.

We then climbed the stairs to the very top of the basilica. The stairs were narrow, requiring careful navigation, but the ascent rewarded us with stunning views of Quito and the surrounding area.

In the historic district, we explored some of Quito’s most beautiful areas that we had only glimpsed from the bus the day before. Highlights included Independence Square, the President’s Palace, El Sagrario Church, La Compañía Church, the Central Bank, and San Francisco Square and Church.

We concluded the tour with a chocolate tasting at Yumbos, where we sampled some of the best dark chocolate in the world. It was the perfect way to end our tour. I couldn’t resist buying some and picked up the orange and lemongrass flavors—so good!

For dinner, we headed upstairs to the restaurant in our hotel. The atmosphere made you feel right at home, whether for dinner or breakfast, and the staff was incredibly kind and welcoming. For our meals, I ordered the Esmereldas encocado, while Donnell had the salmon. Both dishes were quite good.

Day 5 – Friday, June 28

HIGHLIGHTS: 5-day Wonders of Galapagos Tour

We woke up bright and early and headed to the airport for our quick flight to the Galapagos. Upon arrival, we were immediately greeted by wildlife as we walked from the plane to immigration.

After clearing immigration, we were greeted by our guide for the day. We took a bus to the boat that took us from Baltra to the island of Santa Cruz.

Once we arrived at Santa Cruz, we had the opportunity to explore a bit. Along the way, we saw the Crater Twins and beautiful birds, including the famous Darwin finch.

Our next stop was the El Chato Natural Reserve. For lunch, we both enjoyed generous portions of wahoo fish, which was absolutely delicious. I would definitely rate it a 10—it was packed with garlic and spices, making it simply perfect.

We then went on a tour to learn about the giant tortoises that are endemic to the Galapagos. They were so majestic; I could watch them all day long!

During our tour, we learned several fascinating facts about these creatures. There are 11 species of giant tortoises on the islands, and they can grow to be up to 650 pounds and live for over 170 years. The male tortoises are the largest, while females typically lay no more than 20 eggs per year. The largest tortoises are found on the island of Isabella.

Underneath the ranch, we explored a lava tunnel. Lava tunnels are formed when lava flows; as the outer layer hardens, the hot lava inside continues to flow. It was cool to see where the lava once flowed.

After our first exciting encounter with wildlife in the Galapagos, we headed to our hotel, Galapagos Dreams, where we were greeted with a welcome drink—sweet tea. Feeling pretty tired, I decided to wind down, while Donnell ventured out to grab some pizza before calling it a night.

Day 6 – Saturday, June 29

HIGHLIGHTS: Playa de los Perros and Tortuga Bay

After breakfast, we took a boat tour of the bay. The tour began with a cruise around the island, where we spotted a beautiful blue-footed booby. We then docked at Playa de los Perros and started to explore.

We made our way to the opposite side of the island and spent time on the beautiful beach, where we saw marine iguanas. They are the only iguanas that can swim!

After exploring the island, we had the opportunity to snorkel alongside it. We saw beautiful fish and two amazing sea turtles—it was magical!

Following that, we made a quick stop at a stunning swimming hole where we were able to swim and enjoy the refreshing water.

We were able to catch our breath and enjoy lunch at the hotel, taking a moment to reflect on our exciting morning adventures. The breaded fish was quite tasty.

In the afternoon, we headed to Tortuga Bay, hiking for approximately 45 minutes to reach the stunning beach with its white sand. Once there, we relaxed in the water and spotted our first shark—a baby hammerhead!

We had dinner at Fra Fre, and with the beautiful weather, we chose to eat outside. Our meal began with a caipiroska de maracuyá. For dinner, I had the pulpo, which was amazing, while Donnell enjoyed the pescado al romero, a rosemary-infused fish served with smashed potatoes and vegetables. With a sweet tooth that night, we couldn’t resist sharing a chocolate brownie, which was also fantastic.

During dinner, we had the opportunity to connect with a couple from New Zealand or Australia (I can’t remember which one) who had decided to travel the world. It was fascinating to hear their story, especially since we will be traveling to New Zealand and Australia later this year. It was yet another delightful moment of connecting with people from around the globe.

When we arrived back at the hotel, I discovered some beautiful artwork displayed throughout the property. I also found a lovely hammock and spent time relaxing outdoors, soaking in the beautiful weather of the Galapagos.

Day 7 – Sunday, June 30

HIGHLIGHTS: Santa Fe Island and 1835 Restaurant & Coffee

Our day began with a snorkeling trip to Santa Fe Island. After an hour-long boat ride and a brief stop to swim at another location, we arrived first and had the area to ourselves. We spotted sea lions and blue-footed boobies resting on the rocks.

Once we docked, we jumped into the water. We swam with baby sea lions and explored a vibrant underwater world, creating an unforgettable experience. The baby sea lions were incredibly curious, swimming all around us, which was absolutely amazing. I was grateful that our guide shared the photos she took with her GoPro—it’s definitely time for me to get one of my own!

Though lunch on the boat was rather disappointing, dinner at 1835 Restaurant & Coffee was a delightful experience. With happy hour in full swing, I couldn’t resist grabbing a maracuyá margarita. For dinner, I ordered the atún lobería, a tuna fillet served with dehydrated green plantain and apple chimichurri sauce. It was uniquely delicious! Donnell opted for a veggie burger with a vegan patty, guacamole, roasted peppers, and marinated cucumber sauce, which he also loved. This dinner certainly made up for the lackluster lunch and ended our day on a high note.

Day 8 – Monday, July 1

HIGHLIGHTS: Island of Isabella and Ohana Restaurant

We started the day with a ferry ride to Isabella Island, which turned out to be quite bumpy. I highly recommend researching options to combat seasickness if you ever decide to visit. Luckily, I don’t get seasick, and Donnell took Dramamine, so we were both fine. After the ferry ride, we paid our fee to visit the island and were transported to the boat. Along the way, we spotted even more blue-footed boobies and learned that the bluer their feet, the healthier they are. We also saw penguins, which are the northernmost penguins in the world.

We docked at Islote Tintoreras, where we saw white-tip reef sharks and more marine iguanas.

Afterward, we found a good spot to snorkel and were split into two groups: experienced swimmers and those who needed more time. I was the first to jump in and began following our guide. We quickly encountered more marine life, including two beautiful sea turtles. This trip has me absolutely obsessed with turtles, both sea and land. The water was cold for Donnell, so he decided to get out while I kept going, leading to one of the wildest experiences of my travels.

We snorkeled in a narrow cove with volcanic rock on both sides, with only one way in and one way out. I was at the back of the experienced group when they suddenly stopped and pointed down. When I looked, I saw a white-tip reef shark swimming right beneath me. The shark did that infamous eye roll—if you watch Shark Week, you know what I mean—and I panicked because the cove was so narrow that I couldn’t see where it went. I rolled around as quickly as I could, but by then, the shark was gone. It clearly paid me no mind and was probably literally rolling its eyes at me. This is definitely a memory that will stick with me forever. It was wild!

We stopped for lunch at Ohana Restaurant, where it was nice to connect with some of the other travelers on the tour. I enjoyed the octopus ceviche, while Donnell had the seafood pasta.

We then made a quick stop to see some flamingos gracefully wading in their natural habitat.

Finally, we stopped at a breeding center for giant tortoises, and it was a truly beautiful experience. Seeing the tiny tortoise hatchlings was heartwarming, and knowing the great conservation efforts in place to protect these magnificent creatures filled me with hope. It’s reassuring to see such dedicated work being done to ensure that these gentle giants do not face extinction, and it made our visit all the more meaningful.

Dinner at Lemon and Coffee capped off our day perfectly. I ordered the lobster, which was flavorful, but I couldn’t help but feel a little cheated, as it seemed to lack a sufficient amount of meat. Donnell, on the other hand, had the tuna, and he thoroughly enjoyed it.

Day 9 – Tuesday, July 2

HIGHLIGHTS: Sala VIP Lounge

We woke up early to begin our journey back to the United States. After flying back to Quito, we had a decent amount of time before our flight to Atlanta. Our Priority Pass came in handy, allowing us to enjoy the Layover Stay lounge and decompress. We then transitioned to the Sala VIP Lounge, which was beautifully designed and offered excellent food options. After three relaxing hours in the lounge, we settled into Delta One for our flight back to Atlanta and then made our way to Raleigh.

Final Thoughts

As our incredible journey came to a close, we reflected on the unforgettable experiences we had—snorkeling with baby sea lions and sea turtles, immersing ourselves in Ecuadorian culture, and connecting with fellow travelers. Each moment left a lasting impression on us. Although we were sad to leave, we felt grateful for the memories we created and the adventures we shared.